Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 18

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

अग्निराजगवं चापं सूर्यो रश्मिमयानिषून् । भू: पादुके योगमय्यौ द्यौ: पुष्पावलिमन्वहम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

agnir āja-gavaṁ cāpaṁ sūryo raśmimayān iṣūn bhūḥ pāduke yogamayyau dyauḥ puṣpāvalim anvaham

Translation

The demigod of fire, Agni, presented him with a bow made of the horns of goats and cows. The sun-god presented him with arrows as brilliant as sunshine. The predominating deity of Bhūrloka presented him with slippers full of mystic power. The demigods from outer space brought him presentations of flowers again and again.

Synonyms

• अग्निः: Agni (fire-god)
• अग्निः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—giver)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• राजगवम्: the bow named Ājagava
• राजगवम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजगव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आपम्: a bow
• आपम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सूर्यः: the Sun-god
• सूर्यः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—giver)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• रश्मिमयान्: made of rays
• रश्मिमयान्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रश्मि + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of ‘इषून्’

• इषून्: arrows
• इषून्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• भूः: the Earth
• भूः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—giver)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पादुके: a pair of sandals
• पादुके: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पादुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन

• योगमय्यौ: imbued with yogic power
• योगमय्यौ: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योगमयी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of ‘पादुके’

• द्यौः: the Sky/Heaven
• द्यौः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—giver)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पुष्पावलिम्: a garland/row of flowers
• पुष्पावलिम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प + आवलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अन्वहम्: day by day; every day
• अन्वहम्: कालाधिकरण (time adjunct)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्वहम् (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Purport

This verse describes that the King’s slippers were invested with mystic powers ( pāduke yogamayyau ). Thus as soon as the King placed his feet in the slippers they would immediately carry him wherever he desired. Mystic yogīs can transfer themselves from one place to another whenever they desire. A similar power was invested in the slippers of King Pṛthu.

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Sūrya
• Bhū-devī
• Yogamāyā
• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about demigods blessing a righteous king?

This verse shows that when a ruler is empowered for dharma like Pṛthu, the devatās and cosmic powers willingly supply weapons, protections, and auspicious honors to support his divine mission.

Why did the demigods give weapons and gifts in Pṛthu Mahārāja’s appearance story?

Pṛthu was manifest to restore order and protect the earth; therefore Agni, Sūrya, Bhū-devī, Yogamāyā, and the heavens offered items and powers suited to his royal and spiritual duty.

Practical application: what can we learn from these divine gifts in modern life?

Aligning leadership and personal goals with dharma invites support—resources, clarity, and protection—just as Pṛthu received tools and blessings when his purpose served the greater good.